This Summer Sports Camp Is Special

Summer camp is traditionally thought of as an experience. It's a time when a child grows up while being away from mom and dad for the day or for several weeks.

The National Youth Sports Program at Valencia Community College, funded by the NCAA and the United States Department of Agriculture, offers a five- week program for 300 disadvantgaed youths aged 10-16 years. The program offers instruction in tennis, softball, football, soccer, dance, swimming, and basketball.

A typical day for a camper begins with a 9:30 a.m. snack. The camper then competes in two activities, each for forty-five minutes. An enrichment program in personal hygiene, drug and alchohol abuse, or career placement follows. Lunch is served at noon.

Two hours in the afternoon are reserved for sports and games. The campers return home at 2:45 p.m.

While sports are contested, the emphasis is not on winning but on teamwork and individual progress. Program director Charlie Miller said that only 50 percent of the activites are based on competiton.

''The main thing is to enrich a kid through sports and educational activties,'' Miller said.''We feel responsible to them in other areas that might be positive to them, culturally or educationally.''

In a basketball drill, for instance, the players line up in groups of three to dribble down the court. Individual skills are the goal, as each player works on his technique, rhythmically moving the ball up and down the court. After drills are completed, David Jones, the basketball instructor, lectures on importance of doing the drill right, and doing it as a group.

'' You all did the drills well as a group, but some of you guys better think while you're doing these drills,'' Jones said with authority. ''Don't just go through the motions.''

With the goal being personal growth, the counselors will often pick different group leaders for the class in order to make every child feel important.

''Some have problems at home, said Dr. Barabra Chism. ''So I try to pick the ones kids who need to feel important. As class assistants, they lead the group and organize everything. It gives them a sense of self importance, which they would't get in school.''

In dance class, instructor Delora Campbell said that her goal as a teacher is individual growth for her students through personal expression on the dance floor.''They come in her dancing from their last class, and everyone participates,'' Campbell said.'' I turn the music off to get them out of here.''

''It dancing builds their self-confidence,'' Campbell said.''Looking in the mirror and seeing what they're doing right makes them feel good. And when they're doing something right, I tell them. Dancing teaches these kids to walk tall, stand tall, and be tall.''